94.2 per cent of pupils due to start secondary school in September have been offered a place at one of their preferred secondary schools – a higher proportion than last year’s figure of 92.5 per cent.
The London Borough of Tower Hamlets received 2,958 applications to secondary schools this year.
74.8 per cent secured a place at their first preference school, which is a 3.7 per cent increase compared to last year.
92 per cent secured a place at one of their top three preferences, which is a 2.8 per cent increase compared to last year.
All secondary school applicants received an offer of a place at a Tower Hamlets school on National Offer Day 2025.
There are also enough places remaining at schools across the borough to accommodate new arrivals to the area.
Lutfur Rahman, Executive Mayor of Tower Hamlets, said:
“I am delighted to see such positive results from this year’s secondary admissions process, with the vast majority of students being offered a place at one of their preferred schools.
"Starting secondary school is a momentous milestone for children and their families, and the opportunity for pupils to attend one of their chosen schools will give them an exciting start to this new chapter."
Maium Talukdar, Deputy Mayor of Tower Hamlets and Cabinet Member for Education, Youth and Lifelong Learning, said:
"We are proud of the excellent educational provision in Tower Hamlets, and the year-on-year increase in students securing their first-choice school is a clear reflection of the dedication and hard work of staff within our schools and the Council.
"We will continue to work closely with schools to ensure that every pupil receives a high-quality education, giving them the best possible start for their future educational journeys, wherever this may take them."
Tower Hamlets Council continues to support children and young people to give them the best possible opportunities in life.
Last week, the council signed off its budget, which includes £1m a year for school uniform grants for families with a household income under £50,350. Families will be able to claim £50 per child entering primary school and £150 per child entering secondary school.
The council is already the only local authority in the country to offer universal free school meals for both primary and secondary school children, saving a family £550 per year, per child.
It is the only council to have restored the Education Maintenance Allowance and one of a few to offer university and college grants with more than 2,350 grants awarded since 2022, and its new Young Tower Hamlets youth service is on course to having a venue in all 20 wards with 18 already opened.
Posted on Wednesday 5th March 2025